Thiruvananthapuram, 13 Nov (H.S.):

The Kerala government has decided to purchase 24 new Toyota Innova cars at an estimated cost of ₹9.60 crore for ministers, the Chief Secretary and visiting guests, even as the State grapples with a financial crisis.

Of the proposed fleet, 22 vehicles will be allotted for official use, including by ministers and the Chief Secretary, while two will be reserved for guests visiting the State. The government has opted for the highest-end variants of the Innova.

The Protocol wing of the General Administration Department has issued an order for the purchase. The decision has been attributed to the age and deteriorating condition of several vehicles currently being used for official duties.

Since the V.D. Satheesan government assumed office, ministers have continued to use vehicles inherited from the previous administration. However, complaints about their condition prompted demands for replacements.

Ministers had brought the matter to the Chief Minister’s attention, pointing out that ageing vehicles were developing faults and breaking down. Some ministers had also been using their private vehicles because of problems with their allotted official cars.

The purchase is therefore intended to address difficulties associated with the existing fleet and provide replacement vehicles for those holding key government positions. Alongside ministerial and senior administrative requirements, the allocation also provides for transport arrangements for official guests.

At the estimated total expenditure of ₹9.60 crore, the proposed procurement works out to an average of ₹40 lakh per vehicle. The order covers all 24 cars under the same purchase plan.

The decision comes against the backdrop of the State’s financial difficulties, placing the expenditure on new official vehicles in focus. The government’s stated justification for the purchase rests on the condition of the existing cars and the need to replace ageing vehicles that ministers have reported as unreliable for their routine official travel requirements.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman